The End of Software As We Know It- Welcome to Service as a Software
Service as a Software (SaaS) is flipping the traditional SaaS model on its head. Instead of software that enables services, we’re seeing services that generate software. This will change everything. Let me break it down…
Traditional SaaS was about building tools that companies use to deliver services. But Service as a Software starts with the service delivery and automatically generates the perfect software stack for it.
Think about it: Why configure complex software when you could just describe the service you want to deliver, and have AI generate the entire tech stack? This is where we’re heading.
Pricing Disruption: From Features to Outcomes
The implications for pricing are massive. Instead of paying for features you might never use, you only pay for the exact service capabilities you need. Software becomes a byproduct, not the product.
Example: A company needs customer support workflow. Traditional approach: Buy helpdesk software, configure it, train staff. New approach: Describe your ideal support process, get custom software generated for exactly that.
This disrupts the entire SaaS pricing model. No more:
- Per-seat licensing
- Feature-based tiers
- Platform fees Instead: Pay for service outcomes
Software Becomes Commoditized, Service Expertise is the Premium
The real value isn’t in the software anymore - it’s in the service design and optimization. Software becomes commoditized, while service expertise becomes the premium offering.
The Keys to Success in a Service as a Software World
Major winners: Companies that can:
- Define services clearly
- Iterate service designs quickly
- Leverage AI for software generation
- Focus on outcomes over features
The Entire Software Industry is About to Be Turned Inside Out
We’re seeing early signs of this with AI-generated interfaces and workflow automation. But this is just the beginning. The entire software industry is about to be turned inside out.
The future is clear: Software will be free. Services will be everything. The companies that understand this shift first will dominate their industries.
Service as a Software isn’t just a new business model - it’s the end of software as we know it. Adapt or become obsolete.
